Man Held in London for Suspected Conspiracy to Defraud Cricket Bookmakers

By Peter-Joseph Hegarty -
Aug 29, 2010

Police in London said today they are
investigating an alleged betting conspiracy in connection with
the fourth cricket Test match between England and Pakistan.

The Metropolitan Police said a 35-year-old man had been
arrested “on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers.”
Pakistan cricket team manager Yawar Saeed told Sky News in an
interview that officers had taken statements and mobile phones
from three of his players.

The police contacted the International Cricket Council, the
England and Wales Cricket Board and the Pakistan Cricket Board
after receiving “some information” from the News of the World
newspaper.

“No players nor team officials have been arrested in
relation to this incident,” the ICC, cricket’s governing body,
said in a statement on its website. The ICC, ECB and PCB are
“fully assisting” the police with the inquiry, it said.

The police are investigating allegations published by the
tabloid newspaper today.

“The News of the World passed on some information to us,”
the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. “Having considered
that, we arrested a 35-year-old man yesterday on suspicion of
conspiracy to defraud bookmakers.”

Saeed said Pakistan will continue its tour of England and
complete its outstanding fixtures.

“As far as the allegations are concerned, I would still
call them allegations,” Yawar told a televised news conference
in London today. “It’s not for me within 24 hours to pass a
judgment whether they are true or not.”

Pakistan today lost the fourth and final Test at Lord’s by
an innings and 225 runs. England took the series 3-1.

Pakistan hasn’t been able to play matches at home because
of security concerns after terrorists attacked the Sri Lanka
team bus in Lahore last year. Earlier this year England acted as
host nation for Pakistan games against Australia.